Petaluma’s 101 North Brewing is planning to bottle its Golden Naked Ale and Naughty Aud Imperial Stout for the first time, joining the company’s terrific Heroine IPA, which has been on the local shelves since last year. Sales Manager John Lilienthal reports that the new bottles should hit the market first at Rohnert Park’s BeerCraft sometime in the next two weeks, though the date has yet to be nailed down, followed by release in other area stores.

Golden Naked weighs in at a mild and refreshing 5.3 percent alcohol and 38 IBUs. Here’s what the company says: “Made with 20 percent cereal grains including golden naked oats and toasted rye, deep golden in color. This craft ale has soft aroma and flavors of freshly baked bread and caramelized honey. We jokingly call it our breakfast ale.”

Naughty Aud, meanwhile, comes in at a more aggressive 8.5 percent and 75 IBUs: “A limited seasonal release, the figure on the bottle is inspired by Krampus. A complex flavor profile with notes of coffee and chocolate. This craft ale comes off as drier than most imperial stouts. Big yet easily drinkable. ”

For those of you not up on your legendary European demons, Krampus is kind of an anti-Santa Claus celebrated widely in Europe and in some historic immigrant communities in the New World as well. Where Santa (or St. Nicholas) rewards all the good girls and boys, Krampus gets to handle the Naughty list, giving bad little kiddies a good switching and a complimentary preview tour of hell.

I’m certain the new stout will be an entirely more pleasant experience than a visit from Krampus, at least when enjoyed in moderation.

- Sean Scully

UPDATE, 3/12 – John tells me that the release party for NaughtyAud will be this afternoon at 4 p.m. at BeerCraft. Release date for the golden ale is still pending, but is likely to be late next week or so.

About This Blog

A resident of Santa Rosa for most of his life, Peter Lopez Jr., 34, has taken over the duties of beer blogger for the Press Democrat. He has been a part of the beer and wine industry for almost his entire adult life and brings a wealth of knowledge. Currently Peter is a partner at the Healdsburg Emporium where he does the beer and wine purchasing. He is also the wine buyer at Fircrest Market in Sebastopol and the administrator of the NorCal Beer Geeks group on Facebook.

Beer is a big business in this part of the world, with some of the best and most sought-after brews made right in our own back yard. But too often that beer culture is hidden behind the iconic wine industry that defines the region. The Beer Country blog will bring you news and notes about our local brew scene, and maybe a little about cider while we’re at it. Have news, ideas, or questions that need answering? Drop a line in the comments section of the blog or email us at info@pressdemocrat.com